 
Angry_dad
Member
Username: Angry_dad
Post Number: 168
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 5:16 pm: |    |
The chip makers may be gone but the salsa makers in the area may have made up for them.
I dare say that everybody here at some time or anither has tried Garden Fresh salsa and chips. Along with that, Downey's chips are still out here on the north side.
But what happened to Superior? |
Gazhekwe
Member
Username: Gazhekwe
Post Number: 1394
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 5:55 pm: | |
More history, and boy, do I want some potato chips right now!
1953 - Paradise Potato Chip Co. buys Superior Potato Chips and changes its name to Superior.
1954 - Superior Potato Chip Co. moves to a single location at Berwood St. in Detroit. see 1963
1963 - Superior Potato Chip Co. buys Everkrisp Potato Chip Co.
http://www.chiptin.com/antiqib les/tins/snack_checklist.htm
Interesting! Uncle Ray's is on Birwood.
1984 The Detroit Chamber of Commerce hires Jack Griffo, former president of Superior Potato Chips, to head up the corporate fundraising program.
From http://www.unclerays.com/compa ny.asp:
Uncle Ray started in business in 1965 out of the back seat of his 1961 Dodge Dart. A self made man who never went to college, Ray made and sold chip dips, popcorn and shrimp cocktail sauce to local bars and store in the Detroit area. In the early hours of the morning, Ray would be busy making his concoctions in his small apartment kitchen - and during the day, he would be out on the road selling his product. ...
By 1983, Ray needed more space. He decided to purchase the old Superior Potato Chip factory located at 14245 Birwood, on Detroit 's west side. The 75,000 square foot building made and warehoused potato chips. From 1983 - 1994, Ray produced over 15 flavors of potato chips and may corn products. ...
By 1993, the company began to take on too much debt, Ray decided to retire and sold the business to a large investor.
In 1995, Ray was presented with the opportunity to purchase back the business. Eagar to get out of retirement, Ray accepted and started the "Uncle Ray's" Potato Chip line of products. Leaving the Cabana Potato Chips name behind, he began selling the Uncle Ray's line with much acceptance. |
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 428
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 6:53 pm: | |
You can find Uncle Ray's at local dollar stores in the area.
Not only can you buy American - you can buy Detroit! |
Gazhekwe
Member
Username: Gazhekwe
Post Number: 1395
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 7:08 pm: | |
They have lots of flavors, too, I think there is dill pickle, and Ketchup, along with the usual barbecue and others.
Does anyone remember Krun-chee? They used to have those 'Do not eat' packs in the bag. I think they were made by the same people who made Velvet Peanut Butter. |
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 429
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 7:17 pm: | |
A quick yecch story.
On a summer visit to my older brother's Navy base on Rhode Island, in 1965, (I was ten), we were at the the beach, when they had a shore side jellyfish invasion.
With my trusty New Era tin, I scooped up as many as I could, and packed them up for show and tell back in Oak Park.
Unknown to my parents, I safely put them in the storage trunk of the 65' Chevy station wagon, with picnic stuff piled on top. We then made our way back to Michigan.
What was that God-awful smell 300 miles later?
It made for many a family story for years to come. |
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 430
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 7:24 pm: | |
One thing I would like to forget, is the wax paper bags with the staples.
You always knew when you had the staple in your mouth!
|
Jrvass
Member
Username: Jrvass
Post Number: 460
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 7:41 pm: | |
Too funny Bigb!
Sounds like something I would do! (Jellyfish) |
D2dyeah
Member
Username: D2dyeah
Post Number: 92
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 8:17 pm: | |
As kids in the 50's, my brother and I used to wonder what those small black cellophane bags with the pellets were, inside the Better Made and New Era cans. I guess they were for freshness. My brother ate one, and our mom was screaming "Spit it out..spit it out" We didn't know what was up. |
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 437
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 8:35 pm: | |
This is starting to look like a "Jack Handy" moment from "SNL".
Chippy's or others respond please? |
Soomka1
Member
Username: Soomka1
Post Number: 80
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 9:00 pm: | |
I remember in the late 60's after visiting my grandparents on Golburn, my Dad would pull up in front of the Better Made plant on Gratiot. He would come out with a big cardboard box full of hot chips which would keep the kids quiet for the whole drive home. The worst thing about moving to the east side in 1970 was that we didn't drive past the plant anymore.
(Message edited by soomka1 on February 06, 2008) |
Dave70
Member
Username: Dave70
Post Number: 33
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 4:11 am: | |
I smell those chips every time I pass Gratiot on 94, hehe.
Nice pics Polaar, wow brings back memories... If I recall correctly the New Era "Scientifically Processed" chips tin describes the digestive benefit of hydrogenated oil. haha The trans fats! |
Oldestuff
Member
Username: Oldestuff
Post Number: 67
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 11:32 am: | |
I remember that Superior Chips were sold at the Michigan Theater in a green bag, that was mostly
wax paper so it wouldn't make noise during the movie. It was a treat way better than pop corn. |
Billk
Member
Username: Billk
Post Number: 202
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 2:57 pm: | |
Does Faygo have a factory store? |
Jman
Member
Username: Jman
Post Number: 119
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 3:52 pm: | |
At the risk of being thrown into a vat of boiling oil, I have always thought that Better Made potato chips tasted no better than salted cardboard. I wouldn't buy Pringles on a bet but even Pringles are better. I have tried all the chips mentioned in this thread and enjoyed them all except BM. |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 5074
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 4:07 pm: | |
quote:At the risk of being thrown into a vat of boiling oil, I have always thought that Better Made potato chips tasted no better than salted cardboard. Blasphemy! BM chips are boiled in cottonseed oil--at great expense, according to their marketers. |
Jman
Member
Username: Jman
Post Number: 123
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 10:13 pm: | |
Cottonseed oil? Maybe that's the problem. |
Dieseldog
Member
Username: Dieseldog
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 12:24 am: | |
Back in the 1990s Our repair shop had 5 Better Maid chip distributors and about 15 Melody Farms independent distributors It was always a treat to have both broken down in the shop at the same time
Many a teenage dinner of Melody Farms French Onion dip and Better Maid chips were had. If we were lucky an ice cream truck would be in for service. We had desert (couldn't let the popsicles melt and go to waste) |
Pgn421
Member
Username: Pgn421
Post Number: 357
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 12:37 am: | |
Dieseldog- Welcome to the forum,Where was your shop? |
Dieseldog
Member
Username: Dieseldog
Post Number: 3
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 1:33 am: | |
The shop is in Redford. Inkster Rd by I-96 Its a small shop for big trucks. I returned to work there in October last year. We still work on milk trucks Baremans and Country Fresh (Melody farms is a thing of the past) but to my dis appointment all of the better maid trucks and routes are company owned. we do not service them. Ryder Commercial Leasing gets all the good chips. Thanx for the welcome pgn! |
871egrandblvd
Member
Username: 871egrandblvd
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 6:52 am: | |
My Grandmother ran a Better Made Potato Chip franchise in Hamtramck, on Joseph Campau, until 1969. The site was excavated for a new City Hall. When the Pope visited Hamtramck, he said Mass at the site where her store was. |
Jrvass
Member
Username: Jrvass
Post Number: 466
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 9:16 am: | |
Pope Story (no extra charge):
Myself and 2 of my friends were returning from Marquette MI (NMU) to Detroit that weekend. We get to Mackinaw City and the guy that owned the car pumps in 12 gallons of diesel fuel. ("I always buy from the yellow pump"•••
After I siphon out the diesel and he refills with gasoline, we needed to dump the diesel. So we pitch it in the sewer. Some old woman comes out of her house and says "I saw what you did. I just called the sheriff!"
10 minutes later... we crossed from Emmett to Cheboygan county. As fast as an old Honda Civic could go! |
Oldestuff
Member
Username: Oldestuff
Post Number: 68
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 11:09 am: | |
I remember that Superior Chips were sold at the Michigan Theater in a green bag, that was mostly
wax paper so it wouldn't make noise during the movie. It was a treat way better than pop corn. |
East_detroit
Member
Username: East_detroit
Post Number: 1472
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 11:16 am: | |
I stopped by the Better Made store on Gratiot yesterday. The store is way better than it was before. Displays of old tins and serving dishes, etc... and they have clothing, etc.
I bought a bucket of chips in a cool container and some chocolate covered chips. They threw in a free personal size bag of chips and were really nice.
The chocolate covered chips are really good... and the chips in the bucket are all nice and whole and crispy. |
Steamaker
Member
Username: Steamaker
Post Number: 55
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 1:52 pm: | |
I just had some Better Made chips with my coney island hot dog and a Vernors |
Jrvass
Member
Username: Jrvass
Post Number: 468
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 4:18 pm: | |
I'm still tasting my (burp) coney island dogs from lunchtime.
I must be getting too old for "spicey" food.
 |
Douglasm
Member
Username: Douglasm
Post Number: 1012
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 6:39 pm: | |
Slightly off topic, but not too much.
Anyone got a photo of the New Era potato chip logo on a silo? |
Paczki
Member
Username: Paczki
Post Number: 46
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 6:58 pm: | |
There was a Better Made delivery driver named Peachy who lived on Kirby in the '60's. Anyone in the neighborhood could knock on his door any time of the day or night and buy a fresh bag of chips from him. I never thought of it before but I wonder how much he made off those sales. |
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 444
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 7:01 pm: | |
Douglasm -
Glad to add!
|
Jgavrile
Member
Username: Jgavrile
Post Number: 21
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 7:30 pm: | |
Saw that barn out on old Grand River west of Lansing I think. Am I right? Pretty neat. wanted to get a picture of it.
I used to work with the now president of Better Made at Ford Motor Co. Sam Cipriano used to be a fuel systems engineer for Ford. He also had a model A Ford restoration hobby that he turned into a business up on Harper in the 70's Motor City Antique auto supply. I don't think he ever intended to be in the potato chip business. He loved working on old Ford's. He sort of inherited it , when his Dad and Godfather passed away. he is still a very good friend of mine and he does a great job in keeping this old Detroit landmark business going ,in spite of all the competition there is with snacks and chips. he manages to be inovative and come out with new flavors and styles, along with other products. Proud to know him as a friend. Its too bad some of the other old Detroit companies, didn't have the balls to stick it out like Better Made and Faygo.
Maybe, if they did , we would still have our old favorites like Sanders,Strohs,and others.Even Vernors. no longer belongs to Detroit. |
Summertime1
Member
Username: Summertime1
Post Number: 31
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 2:09 pm: | |
Polaar, love those containers. I wish i still had the Better Made one. I cant believe no one in my family has a container like that. |
Douglasm
Member
Username: Douglasm
Post Number: 1013
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 2:43 pm: | |
Bigb23....
....thanks for the picture. I remember those silos were as common in the Midwest as "See Seven States From Rock City" barns in the mid south..... |
Bob
Member
Username: Bob
Post Number: 1668
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 2:51 pm: | |
I remember that old barn well (I grew up in the Lansing area). It is on Grand River Ave. between Eagle and Portland. |
Goldensunshine
Member
Username: Goldensunshine
Post Number: 68
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 9:04 am: | |
My mother-in-law just sent my husband and I two huge boxes of Better Maid products, and two twelve packs of Faygo (Redpop & Peach) all the way over to Seattle - we were TOO geeked |
Alley
Member
Username: Alley
Post Number: 11
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 2:27 pm: | |
I heard you could or can still buy bags of 'all burnt' chips? |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 5119
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 2:35 pm: | |
It seems that there's always a few burnt chips in every BM bag. Are the burnt chips really burnt? |
Swtlorrain66
Member
Username: Swtlorrain66
Post Number: 8
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, March 09, 2008 - 8:55 pm: | |
Yup, you're right! I hate that taste too..lol.
WOW..I didn't even know they where gone!
No wonder I don't see them on the shelves anymore! There was this guy who lived on my
grandpas' street. He drove the BM delivery truck. I went to school w/ his daughter.
(my grandparents lived in a expensive, housing neighborhood) Her dad had to fight them about keeping his truck in the driveway. |
Hornist9
Member
Username: Hornist9
Post Number: 95
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 21, 2008 - 1:03 pm: | |
Has anyone tried the Better Made Tortilla Chips? I was visiting fellow forum member Hornwrecker on a Saturday night, and he brought down some of his homemade salsa, some Better Made Tortilla chips and some cold Sam Adams (supplied by me). We proceeded to watch the Nascar race and have a good time.
If you like Tortilla chips, try the Better Made. |
Bulletmagnet
Member
Username: Bulletmagnet
Post Number: 1079
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, March 21, 2008 - 4:57 pm: | |
I always liked their chips, and that catchy song in their TV commercial "...That's what Better Made Potato Chips are: Mmm, Mmm, Good..." I’ve got the memory of a main frame computer, I do. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go change my diaper. |
Eastburn
Member
Username: Eastburn
Post Number: 9
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Friday, March 21, 2008 - 9:28 pm: | |
My Grandfather lent Cross Moceri, one of the founders of Better Made,$20 "to buy potatoes" when they started out. Grandpa Joe always called Cross "Mr. Potato Chip" Cross would stop by his house every couple of weeks with several bags of chips. Guess that's how he paid off the debt. |
Dxdy
Member
Username: Dxdy
Post Number: 4
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008 - 7:07 am: | |
"Does anyone remember Krun-chee? They used to have those 'Do not eat' packs in the bag. I think they were made by the same people who made Velvet Peanut Butter."
I grew up in the shadow of the Krunchee/Velvet plant on Livernois just north of Davison. When the wind was just right, it smelled like heaven. |
Jokerman
Member
Username: Jokerman
Post Number: 136
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 4:49 pm: | |
I found Better Made chips for sale here in San Diego, CA. I wrote about it on another thread. They have them at the IGA on the corner of Jamacha and Cardiff near Spring Valley. I was amazed and pleasantly surprised to find them |
Xd_brklyn
Member
Username: Xd_brklyn
Post Number: 372
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 5:24 pm: | |
Still looking for them here in NYC. Was just in town this past weekend and seeing those grocery shelves filled with a colorful variety of Better Made chips always makes for a welcoming sight. Like the copy on the chip bag too--where they personally thank Michiganders for purchasing their products--nice. |
Abraham
Member
Username: Abraham
Post Number: 21
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 6:19 pm: | |
Wait a minute. Are you saying Better Made stopped making chips? This would kill me. I have to have my red hots at least a couple times a month. This would be huge news to me. Whats the story? I'm hitting the store right now to get as many red hot bags as possible. As a side note I think Uncle Rays chips totally suck. Wont even eat them in a bind. Everyone I have ever asked or talked to agreed with me. I get the feeling not to many people are into Uncle Ray chips. Realy though, what is the story on Better Made? |
Living_in_the_d
Member
Username: Living_in_the_d
Post Number: 144
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 6:55 pm: | |
Yeah, I think I will also take a "field trip", to the gratiot store to stock up on a bag of each, especially the burnt ones. |
Nickstone
Member
Username: Nickstone
Post Number: 41
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 7:56 pm: | |
Are the BM tortilla chips made here? They are, without question, the most crispy and tasty tortilla chips around... I always buy them... |
New threads cannot be started on this page. The threads above are previous posts made to this thread.